Thorns After Everything (Completed)

Chapter 25

It was a series of sleepless nights and restless days indeed.

"Who wants Chicken and Beer?"

Maro and I can't hide the happiness whenever Zadist would try to pull us out from the pressure and projects that we are setting our eyes and attention on. He is always good at saving time for self-enjoyment. That's why I love him so much.

Nasa apartment lang naman kami and everything was chaotic. Andaming paperworks ni Maris. Maro is so babad naman sa kakatingin sa screen.

Nasa sala kami ngayon eating chicken. Zadist just-drinks the beer. Maro and I are about to fight over the one remaining fried chicken. But I let him eat instead. I didn't fight with it. I think I'm full. While Maro excused himself and went to his room to continue coding. I looked at Z who was already staring at me.

"Hey." Sabi ko.

Napaginhawa ng malalim sa Maro which cause me to look intently at him.

Tumabi siya sa akin at saka sinandal ang ulo niya sa balikat ko.

Don't tell me matutulog na naman si Zadist sa balikat ko?

Pero I heard him sniffed.

Like he was crying.

Silently.

My forehead creased and I felt alarmed kasi Zadist is always that happy-go-lucky type of person.

"What's wrong?" I cupped his cheeks as I leaned towards him to see his face.

"I just felt empty."

"Why?" I asked.

"I'm always alone at home and my parents are coming home next week. Graduation day." Sabi niya. "But I felt emptier."

Tinignan ko siya sa mga mata niya.

I kissed his lips.

"Do you want me to stay with you for a while?" I asked. "I mean, after the Thesis, we have every time we ever want naman. But if you feel empty, I could be a good company." Sabi ko. "Would that make you feel better?"

He nodded and smiled.

I'm just thinking na patapos na ang Thesis. I mean we have been working on it for a while now. Everything will end na tomorrow kasi proposals na sa mga lower years and the graduating students—we are now ready to present our Thesis.

Actually, my group mates and I have been gathering a lot these past few weeks and we all agreed to stay at home individually to release some pressures and peace of mind perhaps.

"What about Maro?" He asked.

"I'm good!" We heard Maro from his bedroom and a door being locked. "Hey, Uhm, I needed to go to Sam's tonight. Some of our codes crashed we needed to fix it." Sabi ni Maro habang hawak hawak niya ang phone niya at hoodie niya.

"Well, I'll be going." Sabi naman ni Zadist. "What about your Ate? She can't be here alone."

"I'm fine." I inserted.

Napaupo nang maayos si Z.

"Nope, we can't leave you alone like this."

"I won't be coming home tonight. Kuya, take Ate with you nalang when you guys plan on spending time with each other naman diba?"

Nagkatinginan kami ni Zadist.

"Well, if that is the case, i-drop ka nalang naming kay Sam." Sabi ni Zadist. I smiled at his offer. 8 PM na kasi e.

"Call me if there's an emergency." Sabi ko.

"Iba na talaga pag may new phone." Pag-tease sa akin ni Z.

Kakaiyak niya pa lang pero nagawa niya pang mang-tease. Ang moody nito.

They both gave me time to pack some of my formal clothes for tomorrow and casuals too. Hindi naman ako maarte kaya wala masyadong products sa bag ko. After that, Z drove to Sam—I don't know him but he is one of the groupmates of Maro.

Simula nung Drug Issues noon, hindi na nagawa ni Maro na magsinungaling sa akin. Maliban nalang kung ipa-prank nila ako ni Z. Palagi namang nagkakasundo ang dalawang 'to.

After we dropped him off, Zadist went to buy some tea.

"Chamomile tea." Sabi niya.

"That's sweet." Sabi ko.

Take out ang teas kaya kaagad kong ininom nung binigay na sa akin ni Zadist and isang cup nito. He also drink his.

"That would help you sleep well." He said.

Habang nagmamaneho si Z ay kinuha niya ang kamay ko gamit ang free hand niya at saka to inamoy, hinalikan, at hinawakan lang.

I giggled after I heard Zadist chuckled.

We arrived at their house at medyo nag-review ako sa utak ko sa mga possible questions for tomorrow. I'm excited and nervous at the same time. But I can feel that the tea helps ease my mind a bit.

Pagkarating naming ni Zadist sa sarili niyang room, he went to the bathroom. I figured na nagbibihis si Zadist kaya naisipan kong mag-half bath sa ibang banyo. Nag-brush ako ng ngipin and also washed my face. Bumalik ako sa room and I saw Zadist by his bed. Lying there.

And as he saw me he opened the blanket for me.

"Awe." Hindi ko mapigilang ma-excite na tumabi sa kanya matapos niyang ginawa yon.

Kaagad ko siyang tinabihan sa paghiga, niyakap, at saka niya naman ako ni-wrap ng blanket.

I felt him kissing my forehead.

"Good luck tomorrow." Sabi niya.

Napangiti ako.

Tinignan naming ang isa't-isa.

We kissed.

Just kiss.

After that, we cuddled.

Wrapped in his arms, showered with kisses, his warmth, and his love. Enough to make my day so complete.

"Good luck din, Programmer," I replied.